You can convert a normal Group into a Group Template. This is especially useful when you have set up a Group and its items and have then realized that this information could be duplicated to produce other like areas of configuration on your system.
In order to convert a Group into a Group Template successfully, that Group must not contain any inward references from elsewhere in the system (as such references (‘links’) would become invalid and get broken when that Group is converted into a Group Template). If such links exist in the Group, ensure that they are suitably replaced before attempting the conversion (see Displaying a Database Item’s References). An attempt to convert a Group to a Group Template while that Group includes inward links will not complete—instead ClearSCADA generates a diagnostic message that lists the reference(s) that you need to change before the conversion can take place.
To convert a Group into a Group Template:
- Display the Database Bar (see Display an Explorer Bar).
- In the Database Bar, right-click on the Group you want to convert.
A context sensitive menu is displayed. - Select the Convert To option.
A further menu is displayed. - Select the Group Template option.
The Group is converted into a Group Template.
You can now configure the Group Template’s Property Overrides (see Define which Property Values Derive from a Group Template), and add Instances of the Group Template to your system (see Add a Group Instance).
Further Information
For information about which tuned alarm limit settings are retained following a 'Copy', 'Convert To', or 'Create Instance' procedure that impacts on a point with tuned limits, see Tune Alarm Limits.